Bucas Grande Islands: Secrets of Sohoton National Park

Boats enter the cove through a low-hanging cave. Sohoton is Visayan for “to go under”

To exit Magkukuob Cave, one has to jump off a cliff!

South of the surfing Mecca of Siargao, at the Bucas Grande Islands, is a national park that’s slowly making a name in the tourist circuit for its unique seascapes. Not to be confused with the natural bridge and cave system in Samar of the same name, Sohoton National Park of Surigao del Norte consists of several emerald lagoons surrounded by broccoli-like karst islands. They’re similar to the ones in Hundred Islands National Park in Pangasinan but more densely covered in foliage.

As our knowledgeable tour guide pointed out, some of them are covered in magcono (ironwood), which yields one of the hardest timber, and, surprisingly, also red and yellow pitcher plants, dangling over the water! I’ve always thought these carnivorous flora were only found inland in higher elevations.

The only way to enter the main cove by boat is through a low-ceilinged cave, a process which gave the park it’s name, sohoton, which is Cebuano for “to go under”. The cove harbors some islets and is bordered by dense foliage and rock formations, such the Dagongdong Rock Formation, a tall, white cliff face believed to be the home of engkantos (forest spirits); and a strange rock shaped like a horse’s leg.

There are also around a dozen caves in the area, some of them largely unexplored. Two along the water’s edge called Hagukan and Magkukuob are popular with tourists. The first one, Hagukan, is named after the snoring sound (haguk in Cebuano) the water makes as it passes through its entrance when the tide is high. One has to swim into the entrance of the cave, covered in shellfish. Sunlight from the outside brightens up the cave through the turquoise water.

Magkukuob, on the other hand, has more impressive stalactites and stalagmites, which one has to climb up through to get to the cave’s exit, located some 20 feet above the water, explaining why it’s nicknamed the “Diving Cave”. As the most exciting part of the tour, one has to jump off a wooden platform and plunge into the lagoon to return to the boat!

Horseshoe Rock Formation

After leaving the visitor’s center, we stopped by the mouth of the national park for some snorkeling. The coral formations were impressive, hosting colorful fish. We spotted a crown-of-thorns starfish snacking on table coral!

Entrance to Sohoton National Park

HOW TO GET THERE: One can go to Sohoton National Park from Siargao Island or from mainland Surigao del Norte. Day trips from General Luna or Cloud Nine in Siargao Island to Sohoton National Park costs at least PHP 4,500 (up to 10 pax, return). Some resorts (like Jadestar Lodge) may include a side trip to the islands of Dakô, Guyam and Naked. This is great if you’re pressed for time, but I believe these islands deserve a separate day tour.A cheaper option, especially if you are a small group, is to go via Socorro town in Bucas Grande Island. From Siargao Island, take a ferry at Dapa pier to Socorro (PHP 100, 1.5 hours). First trip leaves at 8:00 AM daily. At Socorro, hire a bangka (outrigger boat) to Sohoton National Park. Depending on the capacity, boat rates are between PHP 1,300 to 2,000. We hired a boat for P1,700 (up to 8pax, return) from Charrie Quiriban +639198223128.

Upon arrival at the visitor’s center at the park entrance, one has to pay several fees to tour the sights, including hiring another smaller boat to explore the cove:

Our small group of three people spent a total of P1,130 (P377/pax) to tour the park for an hour or so. For inquiries, contact Nesan Canta +639214285854 or Vincent Tamayo +639308028704.

Sohoton National Park offers impressive snorkeling near the mouth of the cove

WHERE TO STAY: There are a few high-end resorts located within Sohoton Cove, like Hidden Island Resort and Club Tara Island Resort. But the budget-conscious can opt for cheaper stays at the town proper. The last trip back to Dapa from Socorro was 1PM, so we spent the night in town to catch the first trip next morning at 6AM. Island Vacations Country Inn, a newly built hostel few minutes walk from the pier, offers clean dorm-style AC rooms for only PHP 250/pax. Address: A. Taruc corner Burgos Sts Socorro, Surigao del Norte. Mobile: +639199897331. Free wifi zone (unavailable during our visit).

BEST TIME TO SEE THE STINGLESS JELLYFISH? Unfortunately, one of the highlights of Sohoton Cove, the stingless jellyfish likened to the ones in Palau, were not around during our visit. Apparently, they are seasonal and move from one part of the cove to another; the staff said they were around from March to October.

the jump at Mangkukuob seems very frightening, i don’t know how to swim (which is a shame).

i’ve read in one blog that their guide really insisted that they jump for experience, without life jackets! whoosh! but of course their guide helped them. really scary but ironically i’m excited about that jump. i wonder what will happen to us. hehe. (we’re visiting the place next week)

Aside from Club Tara, what hotel would you recommend in Bucas Grande? Bucas Grande is a really nice place to visit, my visitors would like to go apparently Club Tara is not getting good reviews in Trip Advisor. Thanks.

Welcome to my website! I’m travel writer, photographer and online influencer Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap from the Philippines. Join me as I hike, dive, fly, eat and do pretty much anything in between across 7,641 islands and beyond. Need to reach me? Please write me an email.